[posted on 29 March 2004]

Workshop in Valencia on tools for wetlands

On 26 and 27 March 2004, SEHUMED (Sede para el estudio de los humedales mediterráneos) organised in the Polytechnic University of Valencia, and with strong support from the Spanish Ministry of Environment, a workshop ‘to identify tools for managing the cultural heritage of wetlands of international importance of the Ramsar Convention’.

The 25 participants included scientists from many disciplines (from archaeology, to zoology), as well as experts on many related issues such as territorial planning, the rights of indigenous peoples and protection of monuments and sites. They included Thymio Papayannis and Aphrodite Sorotou from Med-INA. In plenary sessions and small working groups, the participants debated a number of key issues concerning the cultural and natural heritage and their relationship. They agreed that a flexible approach is required, adapted to the specificities of each culture, not imposed from above, but developed in close collaboration with local communities. 

The results of this workshop will guide the future work of SEHUMED and will provide inputs for the activities of the MedWet/Culture Working Group, just established (see above).